The public will have an opportunity to comment on sweeping changes to Rhode Island’s welfare system tomorrow.

The state Department of Human Services will host two sessions that day at the DaVinci Center for Community Progress in Providence. The first is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon, the second from 5 to 8 p.m.

The state’s new cash assistance program –– known commonly as welfare –– implements new time limits and stricter work requirements, in accordance with Governor Carcieri’s “Work First” proposal that was adopted by the General Assembly in June as part of the state budget.

The changes take effect in October for new welfare recipients, but not until July 2009 for the existing 10,000 or so people receiving monthly payments from the state.

Under the new rules, cash assistance would be capped at 24 consecutive months (60 months over a person’s lifetime), compared to the former law that allowed 60 consecutive months for most families, but no limit for those with children.